| Fort Sommelsdijk | |
| Partof: | Suriname |
| Map Type: | Suriname |
| Coordinates: | 5.859°N -54.8653°W |
| Builder: | Society of Suriname |
Fort Sommelsdijk was a fort in Suriname built in 1686 at the confluence of the Commewijne and Cottica rivers. Later it was used as a mission post and hospital. In 1870, it lost its function and was only used a military outpost. In the 21st century, the fort was taken over by nature.[1]
In 1683, Cornelis van Aerssen van Sommelsdijck became the first Dutch governor of Suriname.[2] He built a plantation near the confluence of the Commewijne and Cottica rivers.[3] [1] On 7 March 1685, the Court of Policy decided to build a fort at the location, and construction started in 1686. The fort was named after van Aerssen van Sommelsdijck.[1]
On 10 October 1712, Jacques Cassard captured the Meerzorg plantation for France, and threatened Paramaribo across the Suriname River.[4] The governor and the councillors fled to Sommelsdijk from where they negotiated a ransom for the colony.[5] In 1715, it was decided to strengthen Sommeldijk.[1]
In 1745, France threatened war on the Netherlands as part as of the War of the Austrian Succession,[6] therefore, it was decided to build Fort Nieuw-Amsterdam at the confluence of the Suriname and the Commewijne River in order to better protect the plantations.[7] In 1748, it was decided to abandoned Sommelsdijk as a fort,[8] and only use it as a military outpost.[1]
In 1785, the Moravian Church received permission to reuse the fort as a missionary post. In 1789, a hospital was established at the location. The mission post was abandoned in 1818, and the hospital closed in 1870.[1]